next fool moon come out unscathed. You'll see."
Tilula turned away and stepped towards the thorny hedges.
Indri saw this, and secretly cheered. He lifted his hand towards the hedges, and they magically parted to allow Tilula passage. The girl willingly stepped into his garden, and never once looked back as the hedge closed behind her. He'd won, and now this lovely girl was his until the full moon once again claims the sky. Of course, he had to keep his end of the bargain.
"My sprites will deliver the water to your son directly, Merchant." Indri declared. "Now off with you."
"No?" Taruk whispered into the night.
But Indri didn't hear it. He was far too excited by the presence of his guest to tell the old merchant off. In fact, he'd even forgotten to shut the window he'd been peeking out of. He dashed down the stairs, through his grand hall and over the wide balcony, until he reached the pathway that led to his front garden.
However, once he caught sight of the girl from behind the bushes, he stopped. Fear suddenly grabbed hold of his black heart. He'd never talked to such a beautiful creature before. What if she fainted at his feet from sheer fright? Or what if she cried and wished to leave after all?
"Well? Aren't you going to come out?" Tilula called. She'd felt someone watching her form the shadows.
Indri gulped and, in his raspy voice, answered the maiden's summons. "You might fear me once I reveal myself. Many women have swooned in fear upon seeing me."
Tilula was surprised by the uncertainty in the man's voice. Where had the stern monster in the window gone? In its place was a lad no older than her, unsure of what he needed to do to make her accept him as he was.
Well, there was nothing to it. He had to come out and help her, otherwise he'd end up with an unconscious woman anyway. "I'm afraid I have no choice. For you see, I may need help getting anywhere. I've been walking behind my father's party in secret, and with no sandals."
Indri glanced at her feet just as the waxing moon began to rise over the edges. Its gentle light bathed Tilula's petite figure. And on her feet were cuts and bruises. "Now your feet are bleeding, and you're tired from your journey."
He realized that Tilula was telling the truth. So he mustered all his courage and stepped out from his hiding place. "No need to be afraid. I will not eat you."
Tilula paused when she saw Indri. He was much bigger up close. And scarier to boot. But there was something in his changed mood. He didn't look quite that angry. She couldn't put her finger on it. "I - I? haven't seen anything quite like you. You're different."
He would have scoffed and agreed with her, were it not for the sight of the woman up close. He saw the faint circles under the girl's eyes, as well as the worn expression on her face. There was tiredness to the way she carried herself too. "Come. I'll carry you in. You look light as a feather, and I shall be able to hold you with ease."
He approached her slowly and just in time, for it was at the exact moment he reached for her that she lost her strength to stand. She fell into his arms, light as a feather. Her soft skin met his rough one. Her warm body became placid as sleep claimed her. And for the first time, Indri received the kindest words anyone could ever say to him.
"You don't look like a monster at all?" she murmured, "Just strange?"
--
Tilula awoke to the sound of muted chatter. She opened her eyes, and gasped when she saw the richly-gilded ceiling above her bed. She sat up, and was even more shocked to see that the covers about her were made of pink and gold thread, and that the cushions were encased in pillowcases of fine pink silk. For a moment she was confused and didn't know where in the world she was. But the site of two pretty childlike sprites at the bedroom door, waiting on her, made her remember that she was in the residence of the prince of frogs.
Tilula was bathed, combed and dressed in an elegant gown. And then she was led by her two sprite companions to a large dining hall, where among a nest of cushions was a low dining table. And at its head was the master, Indri.
"Well don't just stand there, girl. Come here where I can see you." Indri called to her.
"Hello," she said. Did Indri mean for her to eat with him? And why?
"Hello," Indri replied calmly. "Aren't you going to eat something?"
At his words, Tilula immediately positioned herself at the other end of the table, arranging the skirt of her gown around her before reaching for the utensils. She'd jumped at Indri's question, for she feared his anger if she did not obey his wishes. But the moment she put food in her mouth, all fear was forgotten. She'd never tasted anything as delicious as the food that was laid out before her now.
Indri observed the girl before him, and wanted so badly to hear her voice. But in order for that to happen, he had to talk to her. So he said the first thought that came to his mind.
"So? your father. He strikes me as the sort of man who tries to live for his own reasons. It's a wonder he has a family that adores him, for I think he looks only for his own pleasure." Indri leaned forward so that Tilula would not ignore him. "Go on, speak up. I found you most vocal when I first saw you beyond my garden. You're supposed to contradict me. What's changed?"
Tilula gulped. "I fear that anything I have to say may increase your ire, thus goading you to have me for breakfast."
When Indri realized that some part of the woman was still afraid of him, he softened his voice and even attempted to smile a little. "My temper has nothing to do with my preference in morning meals. Contrary to what you people believe, I am not a cannibal. I am simply the unlucky recipient of my father's charms."
He pointed to the sprites that were curiously peeking into the dining room, watching them. The sprites, now knowing that they'd been spotted, scrambled to get out of sight. "My sprites prepare my meals. They gather the finest fruits of the orchard and cook my hunts to perfection. We also have a sprite that is knowledgeable in pressing wine."
"You hunt?" Tilula asked. She'd never met anyone who could hunt before.
"Only when it suits me," Indri replied. "And it in no way diminishes the population of wild animals in the forest when one has no one else to feed. You, of course, will scarcely affect it."
Indri continued eating, until a thought occurred to him. "How old are you, by the way?"
"Nearly three-and-twenty."
He choked. This girl was three-and-twenty? Why, he was only a year older than her! "Forgive me. I find it quite hard to believe. You look quite too young for your age."
"You don't look like anything I've imagined as well," Tilula laughed. She didn't know her age would cause such discomfort for Indri. But then she noticed said man staring at her, and she quieted. "Excuse me. I'm being informal."
"Not at all. I find your openness refreshing." In truth, Indri stared because he'd been mesmerized by her sweet voice. Her laughter sounded like a harmonious spring melody.
Tilula continued on. "'Tis just that anyone I ask about you is ready to tell of your faults, yet I still have to see one."
"Do you not consider my wish to behead your father a fault?" Indri asked uncomfortably.
"Much as I detest the idea, you are justified. My father stole from your garden, and you are allowed to grant his punishment. But as my father's flesh and blood, I am allowed to plead for his case. I took the opportunity."
Never had Indri been more awed before. Here in front of him was a young woman who had the wisdom of the elder sprites and the beauty of the younger ones. And she had such a kind heart as well. "Your father is a lucky man to be the recipient of such love."
"It is not difficult to love someone you cannot live without, nor someone who means the sun and the stars to you," Tilula said quietly. And a bit uncomfortably. There was something about Indri that told her the man had never really felt real love. Perhaps it was the house. It was far too big for just one man to live in.
"Like your brother?" Indri asked her.
"He is the light of our house, born many years after me. He is my father's heir, my mother's blessi
ng and my source of joy. I have called him my little heart since infancy." Already she missed her little brother. Silently she prayed for his health, that Indri's healing water had gotten to their house just in time and that her mother was not mourning her disappearance too much.
Indri wiped his mouth with a crisp napkin and got up from his seat. Tilula tried to get up too, as a courtesy to the owner of the house, but Indri motioned for her to remain seated and continue her meal. "I found our conversation quite pleasant, Tilula. It is a shame I have to visit the forest today."
"But tomorrow," he said, "it would be a great honor if you would join me for a walk in the garden."
"Of - of course," Tilula agreed hesitantly.
But once she saw a spark of happiness in Indri's eye, she relaxed. It was in that moment that Tilula conceived the extent of Indri's isolation. He didn't want to be alone in this house as well. As she watched the master leave, she hoped that her presence could somewhat cheer him. Then and there she decided that she was going to be a good friend to the man. After all, he did save her brother out of the kindness of his heart. He could have easily denied her father that medicine as punishment, and yet he chose to make a bargain.
--
Indri turned around when he heard faint footsteps approaching from behind him. Sure enough, there was Tilula, resplendent in another one of the robes the sprites had provided for her. A deep red sash circled her waist, and a veil of transparent